Salford Mother Hit By 'Racist' Acid Attack As She Walked With Her Baby

26/03/2012 12:53
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Updated
26 March 2012

A woman from Salford had acid thrown at her as she pushed her six-month-old baby along the street in a suspected racist attack, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed.

Corrosive liquid was thrown at the 29-year-old victim, who is black, at around 2pm last Thursday 22 March as she walked along the subway leading to Salford Shopping City in Pendleton.

The mother heard a man make a sexual and racist comment to her before feeling liquid splash on her back, Greater Manchester Police have said.

It is believed to have been a random attack. Police do not know whether it was premeditated.

She told officers she turned around and was faced with a man in his 40s holding a plastic container.

He then threw liquid onto her chest before running off towards the direction of Broad Street, Pendleton, Salford.

Although the baby was not injured, the mother suffered burning to her chest and back. She is now in a stable condition in hospital.

Detective Constable Jim Harris from Salford CID said: "This is an appalling attack on a lady who was walking with her very young baby. Thankfully none of the corrosive liquid hit the baby or went on the victim's face, as the incident could have been a lot worse than it already is.

“The offender needs to be caught and held responsible for his actions which have caused a nasty injury to the lady and much distress.”

Police are now searching for her attacker. The above e-fit of the man has been released in the hope that a member of the public may recognise him.

The suspect is described as being white and of stocky build. His height is estimated to be somewhere between 5ft 10in and 6ft 2in.

He had very short, dark hair with a straight hairline and a bald patch at the back. He had blue eyes and a dimple in his chin. One of his distinguishing features is a red mark like a burn on his bottom lip. The offender also had white peeling skin on his cheekbones and stubble.

He wore a long sleeved dark grey jumper with a round neck, black tracksuit bottoms with a grey and white stripe down each leg and black Adidas trainers. He spoke with a British accent.

Detective Constable Jim Harris said in a statement “I would urge anyone who may have seen this man running away from the subway or may have witnessed the attack to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 5097 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.